Hydnophytum formicarum
Hydnophytum formicarum, commonly known as the ant-plant, is a fascinating medicinal species found in tropical ecosystems. Renowned for its unique symbiotic relationship with ants, this plant possesses diverse bioactive compounds. Traditional healers utilize its extracts to treat various ailments, highlighting its significant potential in ethnobotany and modern pharmacology.
- Scientific name: Hydnophytum formicarum
- Family: Rubiaceae
- Native range: Asia-Tropical
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Gentianaales, it is classified under the family Rubiaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Hydnophytum, with the species name Hydnophytum formicarum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gentianales | WCVP |
| Family | Rubiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Hydnophytum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Hydnophytum formicarium, is referred to by various common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In German, it is identified as Hydnophytum formicarium, while in Thailand, it is known by the name หัวร้อยรู. In Chinese, several different common names are utilized to describe this species, including 无刺蚁茜, 西里伯斯蚁茜, and 安德曼蚁茜.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| de | Hydnophytum formicarium | Wikidata |
| th | หัวร้อยรู | Wikidata |
| zh | 无刺蚁茜 | Wikidata |
| zh | 西里伯斯蚁茜 | Wikidata |
| zh | 安德曼蚁茜 | Wikidata |
| zh | 莱特蚁茜 | Wikidata |
| zh | 南亚蚁茜 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is widely distributed across the Indo-China region, where it thrives in various tropical habitats. Specifically, its presence can be documented throughout the diverse landscapes of Cambodia and Myanmar. It is also commonly found growing within the territories of Thailand and Vietnam. Furthermore, the species extends its reach to the unique environment of the Andaman Islands. This broad range highlights the plant's significant ecological footprint throughout Southeast Asia.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Indo-China | Andaman Is. | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Thailand | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
| Malesia | Borneo | WCVP |
| Malesia | Jawa | WCVP |
| Malesia | Malaya | WCVP |
| Malesia | Maluku | WCVP |
| Malesia | Philippines | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Hydnophytum formicarum, is characterized by its unique underground morphology, specifically utilizing a specialized tuber for storage. This tuberous structure serves as a vital reservoir for nutrients and moisture, allowing the plant to survive varying environmental conditions and support its growth cycles. In medicinal contexts, such storage organs are often the focus of study due to their concentration of bioactive compounds.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| tuber | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Hydnophytum formicarum has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include butein, butin, flavonoids, isoliquiritigenin, protocatechualdehyde.
- Total chemicals
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| butein | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| butin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isoliquiritigenin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| protocatechualdehyde | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sinapinic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| steroids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stigmasterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| terpenoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Hydnophytum formicarum has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antiparasitic, Cardiovascular.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiparasitic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cardiovascular | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Hydnophytum formicarum has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include T- cell leukemia, cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer, diarrhea.
- Total uses
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| T- cell leukemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cervical cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colon cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hepatitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rheumatism | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |